IMBA EPICs: Southern Traverse | Harrisonburg, VA

This one is a true backcountry epic and that starts with the drive in. After taking Rt 250 west out of Staunton, VA you turn left onto Deerfield Valley Rd, right into a farmers field, and cross a few creeks before crossing the wooded tree line threshold of the George Washington National Forest. Dispersed camping is allowed in the GW National Forest and right where this loop starts there is a great spot to car camp or pitch a tent. From the trail head parking lot you climb up Benson Run Rd (a forest service rd), 4 miles, to the ridge line of the Shenandoah Mountain Range, make a left then get ready for 15 miles of ripping ridge line undulation. This 15 miles of ridge line single track offers 4k of descending! At the southern end of the ridge you drop onto a gravel rd, and take it to a paved rd, which you turn left on and have a nice, flat, easy cruise back to the start. While it may sound enticing to setup a shuttle and skip this road traverse back to the start it’s worth noting that it truly is beautiful. With 16 miles of country rd that will show you numerous pastures, cows, and as you look left the very ridge you were just up on, it is a great opportunity to reflect on the experience and shouldn’t be passed up. Trail head parking: https://goo.gl/maps/enpdzso3VoKKJe6s5 Strava ride:   / strava